Licensing centre still closed months after prohibition notice
Renovations at the eMalahleni main licensing office have made little visible progress in the past two months, leaving motorists and municipal services to absorb the consequences of an indefinite closure ordered after safety inspections.
Photographs supplied to local media by Zita Goldswain and published by Witbank News show tables, chairs and office equipment pushed into corners, documents strewn on the floor and a number of old vehicle transaction forms found discarded in a dustbin. The only area in which work appears to have started is the room where learner’s licences are written.
The offices were closed by the Department of Employment and Labour (DOL) in July after inspectors raised safety concerns. The DOL gave the Department of Community Safety, Security and Liaison (DCSSL) a 60‑day window to implement corrective action or lodge an appeal against the prohibition notice.
"The inspection findings confirm that the employer failed to provide a healthy and safe environment by failing to maintain building structures," said provincial chief inspector Boikie Mampuru.
Provincial inspection reports cited multiple hazards when the building was prohibited for occupation. Those included unsafe electrical installations, biological hazards from water leaks and ceiling boards at risk of collapse. DCSSL has said it repaired roof leaks, sewer systems and floor tiles, but the photographs suggest substantial unfinished work and ongoing disorder inside the facility.
Department to verify media evidence
DCSSL spokesperson Zandile Mavuso told reporters the department would verify photographs and videos submitted by Witbank News on 21 September. The verification is part of the department’s process to confirm the extent of neglect and what further remedial work is required to make the building safe for occupation again.
For residents, the closure means reduced access to vehicle and driver services normally provided at the main office. Motorists seeking licence renewals, vehicle registrations or other documentation must rely on alternative branches or mobile services if available, a change that can increase travel time and costs for users across eMalahleni.
- Office closed by DOL in July after safety inspection
- DCSSL reports some repairs but photographs show chaotic interior and discarded documents
- DCSSL to verify evidence provided by Witbank News before next steps
| Issue identified | Reported status |
|---|---|
| Roof leaks | DCSSL reported repaired |
| Sewer systems | DCSSL reported repaired |
| Floor tiles | DCSSL reported repaired |
| Unsafe electrical installations | Still recorded in prohibition findings |
| Biological hazards (water leaks) | Recorded in prohibition findings |
| Ceiling boards at risk of collapse | Recorded in prohibition findings |
Local impact and next steps
The delay in returning the licensing office to service affects not only private motorists but also municipal workflows that depend on a functioning licensing centre. The condition of records and paperwork found in images raises questions about document security and administrative continuity while the building remains closed.
DCSSL’s verification of the published images will be a key step before the department can confirm whether the 60‑day corrective period has been met or whether further enforcement action is needed. In the meantime, residents are likely to experience ongoing disruption until inspectors formally clear the building for re‑occupation.
Local motorists and stakeholders will be watching for a clear timetable from the DCSSL and the DOL on when services will resume and how the departments will ensure records and personal documents are secured during the renovation process.
Photographs and reporting by Witbank News, credited to Zita Goldswain, prompted the latest departmental response and verification process.
